28 Dye-Free Ways to Decorate Your Easter Eggs

If you’re tired of using smelly vinegar and messy food coloring on your Easter eggs, you’re not alone. We’ve combed the web to find genius dye-free Easter decorating ideas, using everything from tissue paper to watercolors. Some are still messy (these are kids we’re dealing with, after all), but they’re all super fun. Keep reading to get inspired.

3. Confetti Eggs

Have a confetti party with this festive idea from Brit Co. Kids can pick out their favorite colors of tissue paper, then brush the confetti on the eggs with a layer of Mod Podge. Sticky, but so worth it! Get the instructions by clicking here.

8. Wild Watercolors

The perfect project for even the youngest artist, we love these pastel eggs from A Pumpkin and a Princess. Whether you prefer a marbled look, ombré gradation or a tie-dye effect (minus the dye), there’s no wrong way to decorate with watercolors. Find materials and inspiration here.

9. Gold Decoupage

Sugar and Charm struck gold with this beautiful egg décor idea. Using delicate gold leaf, the project requires some patience, but the results are definitely worth the effort. Click here for the how-to and more inspiration.

10. Napkin-Dyed Eggs

If you’ve got colorful paper napkins left over from your last party, now’s the perfect time to put them to use. Mom Spark has step-by-step instructions on how to craft these vibrant eggs. Click here to check them out.

11. Bunny Ears

With soft, pipe cleaner ears and sweet hand drawn faces, these adorable rabbits are perfect for getting your little bunny ready for Easter. Consider dressing up these simple eggs by adding googly eyes or a pompom tail. Easy enough to make with your preschooler, learn how over at The Nerd’s Wife.

12. Alphabet Eggs

Artzy Creations personalized Easter eggs for each member of the family using letter stickers and multi-colored permanent markers. Grab an assortment of Sharpies in your favorite hues and head over to the blog to see how to make monogrammed eggs for your brood. If you’re feeling ambitious, challenge the kids to spell out their full name or initials!

13. Emoji Eggs

If no text message is complete without a yellow face to express your every thought and feeling, then you’ll love the Emoji Easter eggs designed by Studio DIY. From winks to grimaces, check out the steps for recreating your favorite emoticon, and express yourself with eggs this Easter.

14. Whimsical Eggs

A crown made from baby’s breath adds a whimsical touch to these charming eggs crafted by Flax & Twine. Make them your own by adding different colorful buds to the crown or personalizing with sweet faces. Find the tutorial here.

15. Thumbprint Eggs

16. Temporary Tats

Temporary tattoos give the illusion of a hand-painted masterpiece, but we promise these awesome eggs only look time-consuming. Made in just minutes, they can feature anything from bugs to ballerinas or your kids' favorite superhero. The sky is the limit! Check out the how-to at Brit Co.

17. Washi Tape Eggs

What can't you create with washi? We are totally inspired by these gems from Lovely Indeed. Parents can cut the tape into different shapes, and tots can stick the pieces in whatever design they dream up. Get all the details over at Lovely Indeed.

18. Use Chalkboard Paint

A quick coat of chalkboard paint transforms eggs into a canvas for little ones to decorate and redecorate to their heart's content. We love Oleander Palm's simple but genius idea; click here to get the scoop on how it's done.

20. Crayon Eggs

Use up those stubby bits of crayon by making these genius eggs from The Nerd's Wife. The heat from freshly boiled eggs melts the crayons into awesome abstract designs. Get the full instructions on how to make these fuss-free beauties by jumping over to The Nerd's Wife.

21. Glittery Eggs

Razzle dazzle just about everyone with these sparkly eggs from Lil' Luna. Kids will get a kick out of making the squiggly designs with glue and following up with glitter on top. Grab the complete instructions for these gems over at Lil' Luna.

22. Perfect Pastels

Grab paint in springy colors to create vibrant eggs like these adorable ones from Paper & Stitch. Artsy kiddos will love channeling their inner Monet to make an Easter masterpiece. We love how this project works for white and brown eggs alike. Click here for the full tutorial.

23. Au Natural

Get inspired by Kaley Ann's simple but sophisticated design that lets natural brown eggs shine. Use a non-toxic white paint pen to draw all sorts of doodles on the eggs—the sky's the limit. For the full instructions, click here.

24. Pressed Flower Eggs

You'll need to plan ahead (about two weeks) for this one, but the vibrant colors and totally unique take on Easter decor are worth the extra effort. Want to know what you'll need to re-create this clever idea? Head over to The Magic Onions for the low-down.

26. Tea-Dyed Eggs

27. Tissue Paper Eggs

For a similar look to traditional dyed eggs without the crazy mess, try this cool idea from Aunt Peaches. The tissue paper turns the eggs into a rainbow of vibrant colors—it'll make your Easter table pop. To see the full tutorial, click here.

28. Mustache Men

For little hipsters (or anyone with a sense of humor), you can't go wrong with By Wilma's impossibly cute mustache men. Since these are a little more detailed, parents can take the reins on the details of the faces, while kids can go to town decorating the men's shirts. To see how it's done, click here.

How are you planning on decorating your eggs this year? Let us know in the comments below.